Israel Matzav

Saudi King seethes at France

Remember the report out of France a couple of weeks ago that had 'our friends the Saudis' King Abdullah telling the French Defense Minister that Israel and Iran do not deserve to exist? Well, it seems that le roi de la Saud has had quite a temper tantrum over that report, and as a result he has canceled a visit that was scheduled (five years ago) to take place today to open a Saudi exhibit at the Louvre (what the Saudis might have to exhibit at the Louvre is a different question).

An editorial titled "Le Figaro's Fall" in the Saudi daily Al-Watan accused the French daily of printing false claims, in complete disregard of King 'Abdallah's well-known positions: "When a respectable international paper like the French Le Figaro attributes a statement to a figure of global eminence like King 'Abdallah, [and this statement] stands in complete contradiction to all logic, facts, and truth – the publication can only be a fabrication or a lie. This means that the paper's professional standards are compromised. One of the fundamentals of journalism is basing reports on [reliable] sources, and this principle is especially binding when the report is unique and important, like Le Figaro's false claim...

"How can a King who calls for peace in every forum, and whose initiatives for rapprochement between civilizations are known to all, possibly utter such a statement? The report, which reached the paper from biased sources – if there were any sources at all, and this is a question in itself – is not consistent with the political orientation, the principles, and the positions for which King 'Abdallah and [his] government are known. Le Figaro could have been expected to regard the report as dubious and treat it as false until it could be proven. This, especially since the report contradicts what is known about a certain figure, and represents a sharp turn from this figure's known positions and from the positions and strategies of [his] country on a certain issue. [However,] Le Figaro did not [do so], but [instead] was lazy in its professional [conduct], and boldly attributed a false statement to the King.

"The positions of the King and of the Saudi government toward Iran and Israel are well known. Saudi Arabia's position on Iran [is based on] Islamic good neighborliness, [while stressing] the need for Iran to cooperate with the international community. Saudi Arabia's position vis-à-vis Israel is equally known and clear: the Arab peace initiative is on the table, though it will not remain so indefinitely. [So] how did Le Figaro fall so low? An apology would be a sign of [its] good faith, and silence would be a sign of stubbornness and malice. The option Le Figaro chooses [will reveal] its true face."

There's more too - read the whole thing.

By the way, if we wait long enough that they take the 'Saudi plan' off the table, will we still have the right to exist?

Exit question: Since everything in the Middle East is the Jooos' fault, please explain what the Jooos have to do with this? Is the editor of Le Figaro Jewish or something?

Heh.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:32 AM